Cucumber hybrid PX04914104

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a cucumber plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another cucumber plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and theinbred cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits ina single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any traitdeemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield,resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, andnutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derivedtherefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes.The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those havecommercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a cucumber plant of thehybrid designated PX04914104, the cucumber line API74-200MO*HP200 andcucumber line API45-1197MO. Also provided are cucumber plants having allthe physiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant.Parts of these cucumber plants are also provided, for example, includingpollen, an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of cucumber hybridPX04914104 and cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MOcomprising an added heritable trait is provided. The heritable trait maycomprise a genetic locus that is, for example, a dominant or recessiveallele. In one embodiment of the invention, a plant of cucumber hybridPX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO isdefined as comprising a single locus conversion. In specific embodimentsof the invention, an added genetic locus confers one or more traits suchas, for example, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, diseaseresistance, and modified carbohydrate metabolism. In furtherembodiments, the trait may be conferred by a naturally occurring geneintroduced into the genome of a line by backcrossing, a natural orinduced mutation, or a transgene introduced through genetictransformation techniques into the plant or a progenitor of any previousgeneration thereof. When introduced through transformation, a geneticlocus may comprise one or more genes integrated at a single chromosomallocation.

The invention also concerns the seed of cucumber hybrid PX04914104and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO. The cucumberseed of the invention may, in one embodiment, be provided as anessentially homogeneous population of cucumber seed of cucumber hybridPX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO.Essentially homogeneous populations of seed are generally free fromsubstantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seed of hybrid PX04914104and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO may be defined,in one non-limiting embodiment, as at least about 97% of the total seed,including at least about 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seedpopulation can be separately grown to provide an essentially homogeneouspopulation of cucumber plants designated PX04914104 and/or cucumberlines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a cucumber plant of hybrid PX04914104 and/or cucumber linesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO is provided. The tissue culture willpreferably be capable of regenerating cucumber plants capable ofexpressing all of the physiological and morphological characteristics ofthe starting plant, and of regenerating plants having substantially thesame genotype as the starting plant. Examples of some of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the hybrid PX04914104and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO include thosetraits set forth in the tables herein. The regenerable cells in suchtissue cultures may be derived, for example, from embryos, meristems,cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistil, flower,seed, fruit and vines. Still further, the present invention providescucumber plants regenerated from a tissue culture of the invention, theplants having all the physiological and morphological characteristics ofhybrid PX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 andAPI45-1197MO.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing cucumber seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent cucumber plant with a second parentcucumber plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parentcucumber plants is a plant of cucumber line API74-200MO*HP200 orcucumber line API45-1197MO. These processes may be further exemplifiedas processes for preparing hybrid cucumber seed or plants, wherein afirst cucumber plant is crossed with a second cucumber plant of adifferent, distinct genotype to provide a hybrid that has, as one of itsparents, a plant of cucumber line API74-200MO*HP200 or cucumber lineAPI45-1197MO. In these processes, crossing will result in the productionof seed. The seed production occurs regardless of whether the seed iscollected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent cucumber plant,often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediatedby insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually.Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without theneed for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent cucumber plants into plants that bear flowers. A thirdstep may comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent cucumber plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent cucumber plants.The harvested seed can be grown to produce a cucumber plant or hybridcucumber plant.

The present invention also provides the cucumber seeds and plantsproduced by a process that comprises crossing a first parent cucumberplant with a second parent cucumber plant, wherein at least one of thefirst or second parent cucumber plants is a plant of cucumber hybridPX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO. Inone embodiment of the invention, cucumber seed and plants produced bythe process are first generation (F₁) hybrid cucumber seed and plantsproduced by crossing a plant in accordance with the invention withanother, distinct plant. The present invention further contemplatesplant parts of such an F₁ hybrid cucumber plant, and methods of usethereof. Therefore, certain exemplary embodiments of the inventionprovide an F₁ hybrid cucumber plant and seed thereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from hybrid PX04914104 and/or cucumber linesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO, the method comprising the steps of:(a) preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid PX04914104 and/orcucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO, wherein saidpreparing comprises crossing a plant of the hybrid PX04914104 and/orcucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO with a second plant;and (b) crossing the progeny plant with itself or a second plant toproduce a seed of a progeny plant of a subsequent generation. In furtherembodiments, the method may additionally comprise: (c) growing a progenyplant of a subsequent generation from said seed of a progeny plant of asubsequent generation and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration with itself or a second plant; and repeating the steps for anadditional 3-10 generations to produce a plant derived from hybridPX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO. Theplant derived from hybrid PX04914104 and/or cucumber linesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO may be an inbred line, and theaforementioned repeated crossing steps may be defined as comprisingsufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line. In the method, it maybe desirable to select particular plants resulting from step (c) forcontinued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). By selecting plantshaving one or more desirable traits, a plant derived from hybridPX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO isobtained which possesses some of the desirable traits of the line/hybridas well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of cucumberhybrid PX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 andAPI45-1197MO, wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b)collecting cucumber from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement ofcucumber hybrid PX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 andAPI45-1197MO is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is used torefer to the aggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression of whichsequences defines the phenotype of, in the present case, a cucumberplant, or a cell or tissue of that plant. A genetic complement thusrepresents the genetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and a hybridgenetic complement represents the genetic make up of a hybrid cell,tissue or plant. The invention thus provides cucumber plant cells thathave a genetic complement in accordance with the cucumber plant cellsdisclosed herein, and plants, seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that hybrid PX04914104 and/or cucumber linesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO could be identified by any of themany well known techniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence LengthPolymorphisms (SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly AmplifiedPolymorphic DNAs (RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF),Sequence Characterized Amplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary PrimedPolymerase Chain Reaction (AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment LengthPolymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858, specifically incorporated herein byreference in its entirety), and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs)(Wang et al., 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by cucumber plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a cucumber plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second cucumber plant, preferably, another, distinctcucumber plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides acucumber plant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybridgenetic complement of this invention.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a plant of an hybridcucumber that exhibits a combination of traits comprising monoeciousflowers, resistance to multiple viruses, a fruit suitable for pickling,a fruit at edible maturity that is about 16 cm in length and 4.7 cm indiameter, a fruit at edible maturity that weighs about 240 gm, and athird leaf whose mature blade size is about 203 mm in length and about206 mm in width. In certain embodiments, the combination of traits maybe defined as controlled by genetic means for the expression of thecombination of traits found in cucumber hybrid PX04914104.

In still yet another aspect, the invention provides a method ofdetermining the genotype of a plant of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and/orcucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO comprising detectingin the genome of the plant at least a first polymorphism. The methodmay, in certain embodiments, comprise detecting a plurality ofpolymorphisms in the genome of the plant. The method may furthercomprise storing the results of the step of detecting the plurality ofpolymorphisms on a computer readable medium. The invention furtherprovides a computer readable medium produced by such a method.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of theinvention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unlessspecifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standarddeviation of the mean for the device or method being employed todetermine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used tomean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives onlyor the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunctionwith the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, thewords “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically notedotherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-endedlinking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, suchas “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and“including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that“comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited topossessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlistedsteps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one ormore traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traitsand covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and any specificexamples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of cucumber hybrid PX04914104, cucumber lineAPI74-200MO*HP200 and cucumber line API45-1197MO. The hybrid PX04914104is produced by the cross of parent lines API74-200MO*HP200 andAPI45-1197MO. The parent lines show uniformity and stability within thelimits of environmental influence. By crossing the parent lines, uniformseed hybrid PX04914104 can be obtained.

The development of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and its parent lines canbe summarized as follows.

A. Origin and Breeding History of Cucumber Hybrid PX04914104

The parents of hybrid PX04914104 are API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO.

The breeding history for parent line API45-1197MO is described in Table1 below.

TABLE 1 Breeding history for API45-1197MO Family Family Family FamilySelection Selection Selection Selection Pedigree Gen Activity (Anth)(ALS) (Scab) (CMV) (Anth) (ALS) (Scab) (CMV) GP5299XMP5280 F1 F2 F3Screen for PRSV select for Gy and Mo F4 Screen for PZW, select for Gyand Mo F5 Screen for Anth, ALS, Scab, PZW mix F6 Screen for 13-1-014-0-0 Anth, ALS, Scab, PZW mix F7 Screen for Anth, ALS, Scab, CMV F8Select for plant and fruit shape F9 Screen for 14-0-0  5-8-1 14-0-08-0-0 R R R R Anth, ALS, Scab, CMV F10 Screen for 14-0-0 14-0-0 14-0-01-6-1 R R R I Anth, ALS, Scab, CMV API45-1197MO F11 BULK

The parent lines are uniform and stable, as is a hybrid therefrom. Asmall percentage of variants can occur within commercially acceptablelimits for almost any characteristic during the course of repeatedmultiplication. However no variants are expected.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Cucumber HybridPX04914104, Cucumber Line API74-200MO*HP200 and Cucumber LineAPI45-1197MO

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and the parent linesthereof. A description of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of such plants is presented in Tables 2-4.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of HybridPX04914104 CHARACTERISTIC PX04914104 Eureka 1. Type Predominant usagePickling Pickling Predominant culture Outdoor Outdoor Area of bestadaptation in the USA Most areas Most areas 2. Maturity Days fromseeding to market 66 43 maturity 3. Plant Habit Vine Vine Growth typeIndeterminate (Corona, Indeterminate Levina) Vigor Strong (Avir, Farbio,Nimbus) Sex expression Monoecious Monoecious (Hokus, Sporu) Number offemale flowers per node 1 to 3 (Hokus, Sandra) Flower color YellowYellow Flower color (RHS color chart value) 12A 12A 4. Main StemMeasurements main stem length 120.5 cm 266.7 cm Measurements number ofnodes from 2 18 cotyledon leaves to node bearing the first pistillateflower Measurements internode length 13.7 cm 7.9 cm Form Grooved, ridgedGrooved, ridged Total length of first 15 internodes Medium (Fablo,Marketmore) Length of internodes of side shoots Short 5. Leaf Matureblade of third leaf: leaf length 203 mm 176 mm Mature blade of thirdleaf: leaf width 206 mm 174 mm Mature blade of third leaf: petiole 15.6cm 15 cm length Size of blade Large (Corona) Intensity of green colorMedium (Rocket GS, Stereo) Blistering Weak (Pepinex 69, Rocket GS)Undulation of margin Medium Length of terminal lobe Short (Kornim) Widthof terminal lobe Medium Ratio length/width of terminal lobe Equal to 1Young fruit: type of vestiture Prickles only (Tagor) Young fruit:density of vestiture Sparse (Tagor) Young fruit: color of vestitureWhite (Farbio, Levo, Rocket GS, Sandra) Young fruit: size of warts Small(Astrea, Breso, Donor, Uwy) Parthenocarpy Absent (Levo, Toska 70) Fruit:length Medium (Gemini) 6. Fruit At edible maturity: fruit length 16.0 cm12.8 cm Diameter Medium (Corona) At edible maturity: fruit diameter at4.7 cm 4.2 cm medial Ratio length/diameter Medium Core diameter inrelation to diameter Medium (Corona) of fruit At edible maturity: fruitgram weight 240 g 156.2 g Skin color/mottling Not mottled (Sensation)Not mottled At edible maturity: Yellowish Absent Absent blossom endstripes At edible maturity: Predominant Dark green Dark green color atstem end At edible maturity: Predominant 139A 139A color at stem end(RHS Color Chart value) At edible maturity: Predominant Dark greenMedium green color at blossom end At edible maturity: Predominant 139B143A color at blossom end (RHS Color Chart value) At edible maturity:Fruit neck shape Not necked Not necked Predominant shape of stem end atObtuse (Maram, Score, market stage Tagor) Length of neck Shape of calyxend at market stage Obtuse (Astrea, Score, Picadilly Hybrid, Raider) Atedible maturity: Fruit tapering Ends blunt or rounded Blunt/rounded Atedible maturity: Stem end cross Circular Circular section At ediblematurity: Medial cross Circular Circular section At edible maturity:Blossom end Circular Circular cross section Ground color of skin atmarket stage Yellow (Gale Tros) Intensity of ground color of skin LightAt edible maturity: Skin thickness Thin Thin At edible maturity: Skinribs Absent/not ribbed Absent/not (Maram, Riesenchäl) ribbed At ediblematurity: Skin toughness Tender Tender At edible maturity: Skin lusterDull Dull At edible maturity: Spine color White White At ediblematurity: Spine quality Coarse Coarse At edible maturity: Spine densityFew Few Vestiture Absent or very sparse (Beth Alpha) Warts Absent(Diana) At edible maturity: Tubercles (warts) Few, obscure Few, obscureStripes (ribs excluded) Present (Levo) Length of stripes Short (Astrea)Length of peduncle Short (Admirable, Belcanto) Thickness of peduncleMedium (Dominant) Ground color of skin at physiological Yellow ripeningTime of development of female Late (Fin de Meaux, flowers (80% of plantswith at least Riesenchäl) one female flower) Cotyledon: bitternessAbsent (Fablo, Pandex, Rocket GS, Sandra) At edible maturity:Flavor/bitterness Absent/bitterfree (Farbio, Absent/bitterfree at stemend Levo, Rocket GS, Sporu) 7. Fruit seed at harvest maturityMeasurements fruit seed length 1.0 cm Measurements fruit seed diameterat 0.45 cm medial Color Cream Color RHS Color Chart value 161D Colorpattern Not striped Surface Smooth Netting Slight or none 8. SeedsNumber of seeds per fruit 308 260 Grams per 1,000 seeds 24.35 g 29.6 g9. Resistance Resistance to Cucumber Scab Present/resistant Present(Gummosis) (Cladosporium (Marketmore 76) cucumerinum) Resistance toCucumis Mosaic Virus Present (Hokus, Levo, (CMV) Naf) Resistance topowdery mildew Present (Cordoba) (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) Resistance todowny mildew Present/resistant (Ellom, Present (Pseudoperonosporacubensis) Poinsett, Silor) Resistance to Angular Leaf SpotPresent/resistant Present (Pseudomonas lachrymans) Resistance toAnthracnose (Race 1) Untested Present (Colletotrichum lagenaria)Resistance to Anthracnose (Race 2) Untested Present *These are typicalvalues. Values may vary due to environment. Other values that aresubstantially equivalent are also within the scope of the invention.

TABLE 3 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of LineAPI74-200MO*HP200 CHARACTERISTIC API74-200MO*HP200 Eureka 1. TypePredominant usage Pickling Pickling Predominant culture Outdoor OutdoorArea of best adaptation in the USA Most areas Most areas 2. MaturityDays from seeding to market 45 43 maturity 3. Plant Habit Vine VineGrowth type Indeterminate (Corona, Indeterminate Levina) Vigor Strong(Avir, Farbio, Nimbus) Sex expression Monoecious Monoecious (Hokus,Sporu) Number of female flowers per 1 to 3 node (Hokus, Sandra) Flowercolor Yellow Yellow Flower color (RHS color chart 12A 12A value) 4. MainStem Main stem length 289.6 cm 266.7 cm Number of nodes from cotyledon21 18 leaves to node bearing the first pistillate flower Internodelength 8.2 cm 7.9 cm Stem Form Grooved, ridged Grooved, ridged Plant:Total length of first 15 Medium (Fablo, internodes Marketmore) Plant:Length of internodes of side Medium (Stereo) shoots 5. Leaf Mature bladeof third leaf: leaf 186 mm 176 mm length Mature blade of third leaf:leaf 187 mm 174 mm width Mature blade of third leaf: petiole 15 cm 15 cmlength Size of blade Medium (Briljant) Intensity of green color Medium(Rocket GS, Stereo) Blistering Weak (Pepinex 69, Rocket GS) Undulationof margin Weak (Pepinex 69, Rocket GS) Length of terminal lobe Short(Kornim) Width of terminal lobe Narrow (Kornim) Ratio length/width ofterminal Equal to 1 lobe Young fruit: type of vestiture Prickles only(Tagor) Young fruit: density of vestiture Sparse (Tagor) Young fruit:color of vestiture White (Farbio, Levo, Rocket GS, Sandra) Young fruit:size of warts Absent or very small (Vert long maraîcher) ParthenocarpyAbsent (Levo, Toska 70) Fruit: length Medium (Gemini) 6. Fruit At ediblematurity: fruit length 11.5 cm 12.8 cm Diameter Medium (Corona) Atedible maturity: fruit diameter 4.2 cm 4.2 cm at medial Ratiolength/diameter Medium Core diameter in relation to Medium (Corona)diameter of fruit At edible maturity: fruit gram 148.9 g 156.2 g weightSkin color/mottling Not mottled (Sensation) Not mottled Intensity ofmottling Weak (Raider) At edible maturity: Yellowish Absent Absentblossom end stripes At edible maturity: Predominant Dark green Darkgreen color at stem end At edible maturity: Predominant 139A 139A colorat stem end (RHS Color Chart value) At edible maturity: PredominantMedium green Medium green color at blossom end At edible maturity:Predominant 143A 143A color at blossom end (RHS Color Chart value) Atedible maturity: Fruit neck Not necked Not necked shape Predominantshape of stem end at Obtuse (Maram, Score, market stage Tagor) Shape ofcalyx end at market stage Obtuse (Astrea, Score, Picadilly Hybrid,Raider) At edible maturity: Fruit tapering Ends blunt or roundedBlunt/rounded At edible maturity: Stem end cross Circular Circularsection At edible maturity: Medial cross Circular Circular section Atedible maturity: Blossom end Circular Circular cross section Groundcolor of skin at market Green (Corona) stage Intensity of ground colorof skin Medium At edible maturity: Skin thickness Thin Thin At ediblematurity: Skin ribs Present/ribbed (Corona, De Absent/not Massy, Fin deMeaux, ribbed Marketer)) Prominence of ribs Weak (Donor, Rocket GS)Coloration of ribs compared to Equal ground color At edible maturity:Skin toughness Tender Tender At edible maturity: Skin luster Dull DullAt edible maturity: Spine color White White At edible maturity: Spinequality Coarse Coarse At edible maturity: Spine density Few FewVestiture Sparse Warts Absent (Diana) At edible maturity: Tubercles Few,obscure Few, obscure (warts) Stripes (ribs excluded) Present (Levo)Length of stripes Short (Astrea) Length of peduncle Short (Admirable,Belcanto) Thickness of peduncle Medium (Dominant) Ground color of skinat Yellow physiological ripening Time of development of female Late (Finde Meaux, flowers (80% of plants with at Riesenchäl) least one femaleflower) Cotyledon: bitterness Absent (Fablo, Pandex, Rocket GS, Sandra)At edible maturity: Absent/bitterfree (Farbio, Absent/bitterfreeFlavor/bitterness at stem end Levo, Rocket GS, Sporu) 7. Fruit seed atharvest maturity Measurements fruit seed length 1.0 cm 1.0 cmMeasurements fruit seed diameter 0.4 cm 0.45 cm at medial Color CreamCream Color RHS Color Chart value 161D 161D Color pattern Not stripedNot striped Surface Smooth Smooth Netting Slight or none Slight or none8. Seeds Number of seeds per fruit 69 260 Grams per 1,000 seeds 27.7 g29.6 g 9. Resistance Resistance to Cucumber Scab Untested Present(Gummosis) (Cladosporium cucumerinum) Resistance to Cucumis MosaicPresent (Hokus, Levo, Naf) Untested Virus (CMV) Resistance to powderymildew Present (Cordoba) Untested (Sphaerotheca fuliginea) Resistance todowny mildew Present/resistant (Ellom, Present (Pseudoperonosporacubensis) Poinsett, Silor) Resistance to Angular Leaf SpotPresent/resistant Present (Pseudomonas lachrymans) Resistance toAnthracnose (Race Present/resistant Present 1) (Colletotrichumlagenaria) Resistance to Anthracnose (Race Present/resistant Present 2)*These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment. Othervalues that are substantially equivalent are also within the scope ofthe invention.

TABLE 4 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of LineAPI45-1197MO CHARACTERISTIC API45-1197MO Eureka 1. Type Predominantusage Pickling Pickling Predominant culture Outdoor Outdoor Area of bestadaptation in the USA Most areas Most areas 2. Maturity Days fromseeding to market maturity 55 43 3. Plant Habit Vine Vine Growth typeIndeterminate (Corona, Indeterminate Levina) Vigor Strong (Avir, Farbio,Nimbus) Sex expression Monoecious Monoecious (Hokus, Sporu) Number offemale flowers per node 1 to 3 (Hokus, Sandra) Flower color YellowYellow Flower color (RHS color chart value) 12A 12A 4. Main Stem Mainstem length 342.9 cm 266.7 cm Number of nodes from cotyledon 29 18leaves to node bearing the first pistillate flower Internode length 11cm 7.9 cm Stem Form Grooved, ridged Grooved, ridged Plant: Total lengthof first 15 Medium (Fablo, internodes Marketmore) Plant: Length ofinternodes of side Short shoots 5. Leaf Mature blade of third leaf: leaflength 206 mm 176 mm Mature blade of third leaf: leaf width 199 mm 174mm Mature blade of third leaf: petiole 16.9 cm 15 cm length Size ofblade Medium (Briljant) Intensity of green color Medium (Rocket GS,Stereo) Blistering Weak (Pepinex 69, Rocket GS) Undulation of marginWeak (Pepinex 69, Rocket GS) Length of terminal lobe Medium (Corona)Width of terminal lobe Narrow (Kornim) Ratio length/width of terminallobe More than 1 (Riesenchäl) Young fruit: type of vestiture Pricklesonly (Tagor) Young fruit: density of vestiture Sparse (Tagor) Youngfruit: color of vestiture White (Farbio, Levo, Rocket GS, Sandra) Youngfruit: size of warts Small (Astrea, Breso, Donor, Uwy) ParthenocarpyAbsent (Levo, Toska 70) Fruit: length Medium (Gemini) 6. Fruit At ediblematurity: fruit length 14.8 cm 12.8 cm Diameter Medium (Corona) Atedible maturity: fruit diameter at 4.4 cm 4.2 cm medial Ratiolength/diameter Medium Core diameter in relation to diameter Medium(Corona) of fruit At edible maturity: fruit gram weight 196.6 g 156.2 gSkin color/mottling Not mottled (Sensation) Not mottled Intensity ofmottling Weak (Raider) At edible maturity: Yellowish Absent Absentblossom end stripes At edible maturity: Predominant color Dark greenDark green at stem end At edible maturity: Predominant color 139A 139Aat stem end (RHS Color Chart value) At edible maturity: Predominantcolor Medium green Medium green at blossom end At edible maturity:Predominant color 137B 143A at blossom end (RHS Color Chart value) Atedible maturity: Fruit neck shape Not necked Not necked Predominantshape of stem end at Acute (De Massy, market stage Maxor) Shape of calyxend at market stage Acute (De Massy, Maxor, Pepinex 69) At ediblematurity: Fruit tapering Ends blunt or rounded Blunt/rounded At ediblematurity: Stem end cross Circular Circular section At edible maturity:Medial cross Circular Circular section At edible maturity: Blossom endCircular Circular cross section Ground color of skin at market stageYellow (Gele Tros) Intensity of ground color of skin Light At ediblematurity: Skin thickness Thin Thin At edible maturity: Skin ribsAbsent/not ribbed Absent/not (Maram, Riesenchäl) ribbed At ediblematurity: Skin toughness Tender Tender At edible maturity: Skin lusterDull Dull At edible maturity: Spine color White White At ediblematurity: Spine quality Coarse Coarse At edible maturity: Spine densityFew Few Vestiture Absent or very Sparse (Beth Alpha) Warts Absent(Diana) At edible maturity: Tubercles (warts) Few, obscure Few, obscureStripes (ribs excluded) Present (Levo) Length of stripes Long (Finvo,Pioneer, Tagor, Tokyo Slicer) Length of peduncle Short (Admirable,Belcanto) Thickness of peduncle Medium (Dominant) Ground color of skinat physiological Yellow ripening Time of development of female Late (Finde Meaux, flowers (80% of plants with at least Riesenchal) one femaleflower) Cotyledon: bitterness Absent (Fablo, Pandex, Rocket GS, Sandra)At edible maturity: Flavor/bitterness Absent/bitterfreeAbsent/bitterfree at stem end (Farbio, Levo, Rocket GS, Sporu) 7. Fruitseed at harvest maturity Measurements fruit seed length 0.8 cm 1.0 cmMeasurements fruit seed diameter at 0.4 cm 0.45 cm medial Color CreamCream Color RHS Color Chart value 161D 161D Color pattern Not stripedNot striped Surface Smooth Smooth Netting Slight or none Slight or none8. Seeds Number of seeds per fruit 280 260 Grams per 1,000 seeds 23.7 g29.6 g 9. Resistance Resistance to Cucumber Scab Present/resistantPresent (Gummosis) (Cladosporium (Marketmore 76) cucumerinum) Resistanceto Cucumis Mosaic Virus Present (Hokus, Levo, (CMV) Naf) Resistance topowdery mildew Present/resistant (Breso) Untested (Erysiphecichoriacearum) Resistance to downy mildew Present/resistant (Ellom,Present (Pseudoperonospora cubensis) Poinsett, Silor) Resistance toAngular Leaf Spot Present/resistant Present (Pseudomonas lachrymans)Resistance to Anthracnose (Race 1) Present/resistant Present(Colletotrichum lagenaria) Resistance to Anthracnose (Race 2) UntestedPresent *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment.Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scopeof the invention.

C. Breeding Cucumber Plants

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seedof cucumber hybrid PX04914104 involving crossing cucumber linesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO. Alternatively, in other embodimentsof the invention, hybrid PX04914104, line API74-200MO*HP200, or lineAPI45-1197MO may be crossed with itself or with any second plant. Suchmethods can be used for propagation of hybrid PX04914104 and/or thecucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO, or can be used toproduce plants that are derived from hybrid PX04914104 and/or thecucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO. Plants derived fromhybrid PX04914104 and/or the cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 andAPI45-1197MO may be used, in certain embodiments, for the development ofnew cucumber varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing hybrid PX04914104 followed by multiplegenerations of breeding according to such well known methods. Newvarieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selectingsuch a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines,it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibitone or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit thedesired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initialcrosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to producenew varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or moregenerations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plantof the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristicbeing transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almostall other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to givepure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plant of the present invention are particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross withPX04914104 and/or cucumber lines API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO forthe purpose of developing novel cucumber lines, it will typically bepreferred to choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one ormore selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desiredcharacteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirabletraits may include, in specific embodiments, high seed yield, high seedgermination, seedling vigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance orresistance, and adaptability for soil and climate conditions.Consumer-driven traits, such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and tasteare other examples of traits that may be incorporated into new lines ofcucumber plants developed by this invention.

D. Performance Characteristics

As described above, hybrid PX04914104 exhibits desirable agronomictraits. The performance characteristics of PX04914104 were the subjectof an objective analysis relative to other varieties. The results of theanalysis are presented below.

TABLE 5 Performance Characteristics For PX04914104 Diseases Powdery PlotPlant Stem Fruit Virus Mildew Hybrid mts Vigor Vigor Set Mat. ResistanceResistance VLASSTAR 10 4 5 4 4 1 1 EUREKA 10 5 5 8 8 1 1 ZAPATA 10 2 5 77 1 1 PX04914104 10 3 4 8 8 1 3 Rating Scale Plot Mts number of plantsPlant Vigor Rating 1 = very vigorous; 3 = vigorous; 5 = medium; 7 = fairStem Vigor Rating 1 = very vigorous; 3 = vigorous; 5 = medium; 7 = fairFruit Set Rating 1 = good; 5 = average; 9 = poor Mat 1 = early; 9 = lateVirus Resistance Rating 1 = resistant; 9 = susceptible (IncludesCucumber Mosaic Virus, Zucchini Yellow Mosaic Virus and Papaya RingspotVirus) Powdery Mildew Resistance Rating 1 = resistant; 9 = susceptible

E. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein areprovided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait.Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant viathe backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant asused herein refers to those cucumber plants which are developed by aplant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all ofthe morphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the varietyvia the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristicsof a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in thesame environment, other than an occasional variant trait that mightarise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentalcucumber plant which contributes the locus for the desiredcharacteristic is termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. Thisterminology refers to the fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used onetime in the backcross protocol and therefore does not recur. Theparental cucumber plant to which the locus or loci from the nonrecurrentparent are transferred is known as the recurrent parent as it is usedfor several rounds in the backcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a cucumber plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the convertedplant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrentparent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive anddominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessaryto introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny cucumber plants of a backcross in which aplant described herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desiredtrait from the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiologicaland morphological characteristics of cucumber the recurrent parent asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease,insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, andaltered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inheritedthrough the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of thecorresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates anyplants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and onlythose plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross.This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of cucumber plants for breeding is not necessarily dependenton the phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Suchmethods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traitsand variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be moreexpensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of geneticmarkers which could be used in accordance with the invention include,but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

F. Plants Derived by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may,alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can beintroduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plantsthat are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to manycrop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation,microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation anddirect DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plantcells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles arecoated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so thatthey are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., 1985). Moreover, recent technological advances in vectorsfor Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangementof genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate theconstruction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide codinggenes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regionsflanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expressionof inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally, Agrobacteriumcontaining both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used fortransformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., 1985; Omirulleh et al., 1993; Fromm et al., 1986;Uchimiya et al., 1986; Marcotte et al., 1988). Transformation of plantsand expression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(1994), and Ellul et al. (2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expressioninclude, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression inmost plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., 1985), including monocots(see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., 1990; Terada and Shimamoto, 1990); atandemly duplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35Spromoter (P-e35S) the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., 1988), theoctopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., 1989); and the figwort mosaicvirus (P-FMV) promoter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619 and anenhanced version of the FMV promoter (P-eFMV) where the promotersequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem, the cauliflower mosaic virus19S promoter, a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter, a commelina yellowmottle virus promoter, and other plant DNA virus promoters known toexpress in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response toenvironmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can alsobe used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells,including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., 1988), (2)light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter, Kuhlemeier et al., 1989; maize rbcSpromoter, Schaffner and Sheen, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-binding proteinpromoter, Simpson et al., 1985), (3) hormones, such as abscisic acid(Marcotte et al., 1989), (4) wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al.,1989); or (5) chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, orSafener. It may also be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters(e.g., Roshal et al., 1987; Schernthaner et al., 1988; Bustos et al.,1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of thisinvention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a cucumber plant according to theinvention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and correspondingphenotypes one may choose to introduce into a cucumber plant include oneor more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis(B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control,herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, andgenes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements,environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plantphysiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). Forexample, structural genes would include any gene that confers insecttolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control proteingene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, hereinincorporated by reference it their entirety. In another embodiment, thestructural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate asconferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strainCP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, orglyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., 1991). The RNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., aribozyme) engineered to cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (seefor example, Gibson and Shillito, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces aprotein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change ofinterest is useful for the practice of the present invention.

G. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited incodominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygoteare readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e.,heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially allof the morphological and physiological characteristics of a cucumbervariety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the singlelocus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/orby genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a cucumber plant by transformation.

H. Deposit Information

A deposit of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and inbred parent linesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO, disclosed above and recited in theclaims, has been made with the American Type Culture Collection (ATCC),10801 University Blvd., Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of each ofthe deposits was Feb. 5, 2009. The accession numbers for those depositedseeds of cucumber hybrid PX04914104 and inbred parent linesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO are ATCC Accession Number PTA-9763,ATCC Accession Number PTA-9754, and ATCC Accession Number PTA-9764,respectively. Upon issuance of a patent, all restrictions upon thedeposits will be removed, and the deposits are intended to meet all ofthe requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. The deposits will bemaintained in the depository for a period of 30 years, or 5 years afterthe last request, or for the effective life of the patent, whichever islonger, and will be replaced if necessary during that period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,365-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,435-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,275-   An et al., Plant Physiol., 88:547, 1988.-   Bird et al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991.-   Bustos et al., Plant Cell, 1:839, 1989.-   Callis et al., Plant Physiol., 88:965, 1988.-   Choi et al., Plant Cell Rep., 13: 344-348, 1994.-   Dekeyser et al., Plant Cell, 2:591, 1990.-   Ellul et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 107:462-469, 2003.-   EP 534 858-   Fraley et al., Bio/Technology, 3:629-635, 1985.-   Fromm et al., Nature, 312:791-793, 1986.-   Fromm et al., Plant Cell, 1:977, 1989.-   Gibson and Shillito, Mol. Biotech., 7:125, 1997-   Klee et al., Bio-Technology, 3(7):637-642, 1985.-   Kuhlemeier et al., Plant Cell, 1:471, 1989.-   Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, 1988.-   Marcotte et al., Plant Cell, 1:969, 1989.-   Odel et al., Nature, 313:810, 1985.-   Omirulleh et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 21(3):415-428, 1993.-   Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:183-188, 1985.-   Roshal et al., EMBO J., 6:1155, 1987.-   Schaffner and Sheen, Plant Cell, 3:997, 1991.-   Schernthaner et al., EMBO J., 7:1249, 1988.-   Siebertz et al., Plant Cell, 1:961, 1989.-   Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985.-   Terada and Shimamoto, Mol. Gen. Genet., 220:389, 1990.-   Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 204:204, 1986.-   Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998.-   Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990.-   WO 99/31248

1. A seed of the hybrid cucumber PX04914104, produced by crossing afirst plant of variety API74-200MO*HP200 with a second plant of varietyAPI45-1197MO, wherein representative seed of said varietiesAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO have been deposited under ATCCAccession numbers PTA-9754 and PTA-9764, respectively.
 2. A plant of thehybrid cucumber PX04914104 grown from the seed of claim
 1. 3. A plantpart of the plant of claim
 2. 4. The plant part of claim 3, furtherdefined as an ear, ovule, pollen or cell.
 5. A tissue culture of cellsof the plant of claim
 2. 6. The tissue culture of claim 5, wherein cellsof the tissue culture are from a tissue selected from the groupconsisting of embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers,roots, root tips, pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 7. A seed of thehybrid cucumber PX04914104, produced by crossing a first plant ofvariety API74-200MO*HP200 with a second plant of variety API45-1197MO,wherein representative seed of said varieties API74-200MO*HP200 andAPI45-1197MO have been deposited under ATCC Accession numbers PTA-9754and PTA-9764, respectively, wherein one or both of the first and secondplants further comprises a transgene.
 8. The seed of claim 7, whereinthe transgene confers a trait selected from the group consisting of malesterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance,disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stresstolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified proteinmetabolism.
 9. The seed of claim 7, wherein the first and second plantseach comprise a different transgene.
 10. A seed of the hybrid cucumberPX04914104, produced by crossing a first plant of varietyAPI74-200MO*HP200 with a second plant of variety API45-1197MO, whereinrepresentative seed of said varieties API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MOhave been deposited under ATCC Accession numbers PTA-9754 and PTA-9764,respectively, wherein one or both of the first and second plantscomprises a single locus conversion.
 11. The seed of claim 10, whereinthe single locus conversion confers a trait selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance,pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism,environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism andmodified protein metabolism.
 12. A method of producing hybrid cucumberseed comprising crossing a plant of variety API74-200MO*HP200 with aplant of variety API45-1197MO, wherein representative seed of varietyAPI74-200MO*HP200 and variety API45-1197MO have been deposited underATCC Accession numbers PTA-9754 and PTA-9764, respectively.
 13. Themethod of claim 12, defined as comprising pollinating a plant of inbredvariety API74-200MO*HP200 with pollen from a plant of varietyAPI45-1197MO.
 14. The method of claim 12, defined as comprisingpollinating a plant of inbred variety API45-1197MO with pollen from aplant of variety API74-200MO*HP200.
 15. A method of introducing aheritable trait into hybrid cucumber PX04914104 comprising the steps of:(a) crossing a first plant of a first inbred cucumber variety selectedfrom the group consisting of variety API74-200MO*HP200 and varietyAPI45-1197MO with another cucumber plant that heritably carries thetrait to produce progeny plants, at least some of which heritably carrythe trait, wherein representative samples of seed of varietyAPI74-200MO*HP200 and variety API45-1197MO have been deposited underATCC Accession numbers PTA-9754 and PTA-9764, respectively; (b)selecting progeny plants that heritably carry the trait; (c) crossingselected progeny plants with another plant of the first inbred cucumbervariety to produce next-generation progeny plants at least some of whichheritably carry the trait; (d) selecting next-generation progeny plantsthat heritably carry the trait and exhibit morphological andphysiological characteristics of the first inbred cucumber variety; (e)repeating steps (c) and (d) three or more times to produce at least afirst selected progeny plant that heritably carries the trait andexhibits essentially all of the morphological and physicalcharacteristics of the inbred cucumber variety; and (f) crossing aprogeny plant of step (e) with a plant of the other inbred cucumbervariety of the group consisting of API74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO toproduce a plant comprising the trait and essentially all of thecharacteristics of hybrid cucumber PX04914104 when grown under the sameenvironmental conditions.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein the traitis selected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicidetolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance,modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stress tolerance, modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism and modified protein metabolism.
 17. The methodof claim 16, further comprising repeating steps (a)-(f) at least once tointroduce at least a second trait into hybrid cucumber PX04914104,wherein the second trait is selected from the group consisting of malesterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance,waxy starch, modified fatty acid metabolism, modified phytic acidmetabolism, modified carbohydrate metabolism and modified proteinmetabolism.
 18. A plant produced by the method of claim
 15. 19. A methodof introducing a desired trait into hybrid cucumber PX04914104comprising the steps of: (a) introducing a transgene conferring thetrait into a variety selected from the group consisting ofAPI74-200MO*HP200 and API45-1197MO to produce a transgenic plantheritably carrying the trait; and (b) crossing the transgenic plant oran isogenic progeny plant thereof with a plant of the other inbredcucumber variety to produce seed of the hybrid cucumber PX04914104 thatheritably carries and expresses the transgene and otherwise hasessentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof hybrid cucumber PX04914104 when grown under the same environmentalconditions.
 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the desired traitselected from the group consisting of male sterility, herbicidetolerance, insect resistance, pest resistance, disease resistance,modified fatty acid metabolism, environmental stress tolerance, modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism and modified protein metabolism.
 21. The methodof claim 19, further comprising repeating steps (a) and (b) at leastonce to introduce at least a second trait into hybrid cucumberPX04914104, wherein the second trait is selected from the groupconsisting of male sterility, herbicide tolerance, insect resistance,pest resistance, disease resistance, modified fatty acid metabolism,environmental stress tolerance, modified carbohydrate metabolism andmodified protein metabolism.
 22. A plant produced by the method of claim19.
 23. A method of producing a cucumber plant derived from the hybridcucumber PX04914104, comprising crossing the plant of claim 2 with asecond cucumber plant to produce a progeny cucumber plant derived fromthe hybrid cucumber PX04914104.
 24. The method of claim 23, furtherdefined as comprising producing a cucumber plant derived from the hybridcucumber PX04914104, the method comprising the steps of: (a) crossingthe progeny cucumber plant derived from the hybrid cucumber PX04914104with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of a progeny plant of asubsequent generation; (b) growing a progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration from the seed and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration with itself or a second plant; and (c) repeating steps (a)and (b) for an addition 3-10 generations to produce a cucumber plantderived from the hybrid cucumber PX04914104.
 25. The method of claim 24,further comprising the step of: (d) crossing the cucumber plant derivedfrom the hybrid cucumber PX04914104 with a second, distinct cucumberplant.
 26. A method of producing a cucumber fruit comprising: (a)obtaining a plant according to claim 2, wherein the plant has beencultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting a cucumber from the plant.27. The method of claim 26, wherein the plant according to claim 1 is aplant of cucumber hybrid PX04914104, a sample of seed of said hybridPX04914104 having been deposited under ATCC Accession Number PTA-9763.28. A method of producing cucumber seed comprising crossing the plant ofclaim 1 with itself or a second cucumber plant and allowing seed toform.